Parkhurst Mountain

February 23, 2016

2494m

Garibaldi Provincial Park / Whistler, BC

Parkhurst Mountain is a smaller summit near Wedgemount Lake in the northern Garibaldi Provincial Park. The standard scramble route involves a somewhat hazardous (in early spring) or unpleasant (summer/fall) trudge up Parkhurst/Rethel col from the lake. The reason for that route is to avoid glacier travel, but for mountaineers the approach from Wedgemount Glacier to Wedge/Parkhurst col makes more sense. I did this peak simply as a bonus objective on top of my Wedge Mountain’s NE Arete trip. All of the approach and return are written in that trip report.

Wedge Mountain (NE Arete) and Parkhurst Mtn. on snowshoes. GPX DL

From Wedge/Parkhurst col it appeared tame in nature with only 160 m elevation gain according to my GPS. The steepest slope was actually right at the beginning. I could have ascended the snow covered boulders on climber’s left but that looked tedious and ugly. I opted for the steep snow slope on climber’s right. The slope wasn’t as steep as it looked and I managed to take a straight upwards line on my Lightning Ascents. Once the angle eased the rest of the ascent was nothing but a simple plod, although the views were improving as I gradually gaining height.

Looking at the initial slope that I was going to ascend

Looking at the initial slope that I was going to ascend

The upper slope

The upper slope

Neat terrain

Neat terrain

Getting higher than Rethel Mountain already

Getting higher than Rethel Mountain already

Partial summit panorama. Click to view large size.

Partial summit panorama. Click to view large size.

Mt. Weart - bagged last year in October

Mt. Weart – bagged last year in October

Mt. Cook is as easy as it looks - also bagged last year in October

Mt. Cook is as easy as it looks – also bagged last year in October

Ipsoot Mountain

Ipsoot Mountain

Rainbow Mountain

Rainbow Mountain

A closer look at Mt. Weart

A closer look at Mt. Weart

Looking down at Wedgemount Glacier where I'd exit in a few more hours

Looking down at Wedgemount Glacier where I’d exit in a few more hours

The mighty Wedge Mountain, my next objective

The mighty Wedge Mountain, my next objective

Peaks on Spearhead Traverse with Castle Towers looming behind

Peaks on Spearhead Traverse with Castle Towers looming behind

Alpha - Serratus - Tantalus - Pelion/Ossa on the rugged Tantalus Range

Alpha – Serratus – Tantalus – Pelion/Ossa on the rugged Tantalus Range

Peaks such as Pykett, Amicus and Ashlu along Ashlu - Elaho Divide

Peaks such as Pykett, Amicus and Ashlu along Ashlu – Elaho Divide

Phalanx Mountain in the foreground with The Spearhead to its left

Phalanx Mountain in the foreground with The Spearhead to its left

Icefalls on Wedge Mountain

Icefalls on Wedge Mountain

Another set of icefalls on Wedge Mountain's north side

Another set of icefalls on Wedge Mountain’s north side

Me on the summit of Parkhurst Mountain

Me on the summit of Parkhurst Mountain

I didn’t linger too long on the summit as I still had my primary objective unfinished. The plunge was nice and fast and I made back to Wedge/Parkhurst col in no time, and then it’s time to turn my attention to Wedge Mountain’s NE Arete.